November's goals

Since I am planning a trip to Chicago for the kids in spring I want to  shift our focus to things we will be seeing in the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium in order to maximize our learning experience. While on a weekend there Aaron and I went to the museum for some recon.

• They have a wonderful rock and mineral collection on display that fits with our collecting and studying we have already been doing this summer. Earth Science is one of my favorite topics. 
• We were amazed by the Ancient Egyptian artifacts but since this year we are studying Native American cultures I will stick to that area as they also have a wonderful Native American exhibits too. History is right on track.
• We will log our trip on a map as this will meet the math requirements for our trip. How many miles, grid map reading, coordinates, reading  graphs, how much money do we spend, ect. that is how our math is taken care of too. 
• The English is harder but sign reading, and books about places we will see and travel brochures will help with our English component. Field trips are educational in so many ways! 
• We will also be studying the ocean habitat and fish in our science so they will recognize some of the fish they will be seeing at the aquarium. 

Now off to the internet to find tried and true ways other people have home schooled on these topics. Having goals and an outline is the first step to a successful learning vacation!

Chicago Field Trip Recon

Aaron and I went to Chicago, Illinois for a concert while we were there we did a recon to see if it would be a great place to take the kids on a field trip.  Well it was so nice. Our plan is to take the train from Lansing, Michigan. We stayed at the Congress Hotel which was so nice and centrally located. in the lobby is a chair from the White House Oval office in which sat for U.S. Presidents including Pres. Harding, Pres.Vanburen, and two others I can't remember which now. From the Congress Hotel it was a short walk (1 mile) along the Lake shore to the Museum of Natural History and Shedd Aquarium. The kids will really like the Museum. It will take us most of the day and then the aquarium. We didn't go to Navy Pier but it was visible from the hotel window. We ate at the Exchequer the food was OK but not that good really although reasonably priced given the discount coupon from the hotel doorman. The Lincoln Hall was incredibly wonderful little stage and I would definitely go to another concert there but it is not a family oriented venue (must be 21 because alcohol is served). It was just a short taxi ride from the hotel. I have been to the zoo and that is a day trip as well so we will go for at least two days stay at the hotel or one near by, and go to the museum and the zoo. Planning is the key to a sucessful trip and having been there recently is a great way to judge if it will work for us. Plan is for us to take the kids and go in the spring when it is getting warm again I would say about late June. But a Momma and Daddy Field trip by ourselves is always in order. Thanks Aaron I love the field trip for momma.

Zoo Field Trip

We took the kids to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan.  They have the most awesome Africa exhibit.. You can even feed the Giraffes. It was so wonderful. I think I enjoyed it almost more than the kids. We fed the giraffes romaine lettuce leaves. In fact it was so neat the first time we went back again before we left to feed them again.
What am I? How can you tell?
I am....... as tall as the trees!
I have...... a very long neck!
I can....... see a very long way!
I like to eat...... leaves.
I am a......... (Giraffe) 
(saw this poem at little blossoms and it just seemed to fit)

Homestead Field Trip

today we are going to the Chippewa nature Center in Midland, Michigan. They have a cabin homestead and one room school museum displays with all sorts of activities for the kids today. This is free admission! It also fits perfectly with our "Little House in the Big Woods" unit study. Cam went in third grade with her public school class and is really looking forward to going as a family today. I also went as a chaperone before so this should be very educational and fun today. It is a drive but worth it since we already know what to expect. I packed a picnic lunch to eat by the river in the park. Midland is a nice place to visit and I am lucky to have access to a calender of events this weekend.More after we get home tonight. They should really be tired tonight.